Volume III: Biographies

BRAUTIGAM, Otto

Cameraman (1915-1916)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Otto Brautigam was a cameraman with Thanhouser circa 1915-1916.

Biographical Notes: Otto Brautigam was born in Manchester, England on September 27, 1877 and was educated in Manchester at the Technical High School. Early in his career he was a mechanical engineer and, in his words, a "semi-professional photographer" specializing in lantern slides and parlor entertainment. In his screen career he spent six years with Edison (Gauntlets of Washington, Eyes of the Blind, The Stoning, Vanity Fair, etc.) and toured Europe with Charles Brabin and players in 1913.

He joined Thanhouser in 1915, and by mid 1916 had filmed In the Name of the Law, The Valkyrie, The Flight of the Duchess, and other productions. The New Rochelle Evening Standard, April 25, 1916, carried this item: "Otto Brantigan [sic], a Thanhouser cameraman, was hoisting a heavy electric lamp out of his way in the Thanhouser studio yesterday when a wire broke and the lamp fell striking his head. His scalp was laid open. The wound requiring six stitches in the New Rochelle Hospital." The New Rochelle Pioneer, June 3, 1916, announced that he was among nearly two dozen important players, directors, and cameramen who were dismissed by the studio on Saturday morning, May 27, 1916, as part of an economy move when the outlook for the Thanhouser Film Corporation seemed bleak.

A 1916 directory noted that Brautigam was 5'10" tall and weighed 170 pounds. By 1918, he was with Victory Film (Triumph of Venus). A 1918 directory noted that his mailing address was care of the Cinema Camera Club, New York Times Building, New York City. In 1920 Otto Brautigam was with Goldwyn (Duds).

Thanhouser Filmography:

1915: The Valkyrie (11-27-1915)

1916: In the Name of the Law (1-16-1916), The Flight of the Duchess (3-11-1916)

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